Govt clears additional wheat exports amid strong harvest

The Centre has formally permitted export of an additional 25 lakh tonnes of wheat, signalling confidence in domestic supply levels and a robust harvest outlook.  The decision, notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), comes amid expectations of comfortable stock positions for the current crop year.

 With this move, total permitted wheat exports now stand at 50 lakh tonnes, along with 10 lakh tonnes of wheat products. While the overall export policy for wheat continues to remain “prohibited”, the government has allowed limited shipments under specific approvals to balance domestic availability with global demand. The DGFT said detailed modalities for the additional export quota will be issued separately. It also clarified that exports may continue beyond the permitted quota under govt-to-govt arrangements to meet food security requirements of requesting nations, in line with existing policy provisions. India’s wheat output is estimated at 120.2 million tonnes for the 2025–26 crop year, according to the second advance estimates by the Agriculture Ministry. 

 The higher production is attributed to an increase in acreage to 33.41 million hectares during the rabi season, compared with 32.80 million hectares a year earlier. The government has taken calibrated steps over recent months to ease export restrictions. The latest decision is expected to support global supply chains while ensuring domestic price stability, as authorities continue to monitor stock levels, procurement trends, and inflationary pressures in the foodgrain market.